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Projo SoxTalk with McAdam: A bad day in Baltimore

Click here to listen to today's edition of projo SoxTalk (audio only today). Sean discusses the Red Sox' harrowing day yesterday, Josh Beckett's surprising inability to retire the Orioles' usually inept lineup, the Terry Francona-Brad Mills relationship, and the Red Sox' meeting this afternoon with Daniel Cabrera, the guy who sparked a bench-clearing incident with the Sox last September.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:22 PM to Projo SoxTalk with Sean McAdam | Permalink

Van Every to Make Debut

Jonathan Van Every, in his eighth minor-league season, finally received the call he had been waiting for.

At 8 o'clock this morning, Van Every, in Buffalo with the Pawtucket Red Sox, was told he was promoted to Boston, taking the place of pitcher Clay Buchholz (torn fingernail) on the roster because the Red Sox had two outfielders unavailable -- J.D. Drew (hyperextended left wrist) and Coco Crisp (migraine-like symptoms).

"On the flight there were a million things going through my mind, childhood things," said Van Every of his childhood dream finally being realized.

The dream took on an even happier note when Van Every found out from traveling secretary Jack McCormick that he was in today's starting lineup, batting ninth. Van Every learned that bit of news when he called McCormick after landing in Baltimore.

"I wasn't expecting to play. It's definitely a great feeling. There have been many trials and tribulations," said Van Every, 27, who arrived in the clubhouse about two hours before the first pitch.

Van Every had spent the first seven years of his career in the Indians' organization, having been drafted in the 29th round of the 2000 draft. He signed with Boston as a minor-league free agent this past winter.

He is starting in center field with Jacoby Ellsbury in right field because he hasn't played a corner outfield position this season, though he does have corner outfield experience. Ellsbury has played several games in right for the Sox this season. Van Every is going to wear uniform number 30.

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 1:19 PM | Permalink

Buchholz Shut Down --Torn Fingernail, Injuries

Clay Buchholz felt the fingernail on the middle finger of his right hand tear when he threw a two-seamer on his second warmup pitch of the second inning in his start Monday night in Minnesota.

Little did he suspect that, while the torn nail had a negative impact on his performance in that game, it would land him on the disabled list. But that's what happened this morning, when the Red Sox placed him on the 15-day DL, as much to help fortify the depleted outfield corps as anything. Boston replaced him on the roster with veteran minor-league outfielder Jonathan Van Every, called up from Pawtucket.

Buchholz said the Sox told him they didn't want him to alter any mechanics to compensate for the torn nail and possibly hurt his elbow or shoulder.

"I feel fine, like I could throw. But they told me they want to be cautious with it," said Buchholz, showing his torn nail to the media, having lost a part of the nail on the outside of the finger.

Once Buchholz felt the tear, he was forced to go more with his breaking balls and changeups, limiting the number of fastballs he could throw and the command of the pitch. Ultimately the Twins sat on his offspeed stuff -- unofficially, only 37 of his 90 pitches were fastballs -- and hammered him to the tune of seven earned runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings.

"I felt it when I did it, but I didn't look at it. When I got to the bench I saw it was bleeding, but I didn't tell anyone. I never had any swelling. It was just tender," he said.

Buchholz will not throw today, and tomorrow is a day off for the team. He'll be re-evaluated on Friday, when he'll learn what throwing plans the Sox will have for him.

In the meantime, because of the off day, Josh Beckett will slide into Buchholz' spot in the rotation on Sunday. Boston will need another starter on Tuesday, and that pitcher could be Bartolo Colon if he is able to stretch out his innings and pitch count for his next start with Pawtucket, tomorrow in Buffalo.

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 1:06 PM | Permalink

Concussed Lugo to see specialist

Julio Lugo, who suffered a mild concussion in a baseline collision in Minnesota last Friday night, will see a specialist in Boston tomorrow during the team's day off.

Lugo has been able to field grounders and take batting practice the last few days, but the Red Sox' medical staff hasn't cleared him to play yet.

"I have a headache, some pressure in the back of my head. That's why they're worried," said Lugo this morning.

"I feel good now. If it was up to me I'd be playing but I have to do what they say. They're going to check my head. They'll find out all sorts of wrong stuff back in there," joked Lugo.

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 1:01 PM | Permalink

Coco Crisp -- migraine?

Coco Crisp is out of the starting lineup because of migraine-like symptoms, which forced him out of Tuesday night's game in the sixth inning.

Crisp had an excruciating headache and was vomiting. He said this morning that he didn't recall having migraines in his past, and was hoping the medication he took earlier today will allow him to be available at some point in today's game, if he's needed. If that medicine doesn't work, he said he would take some medicine specifically designed to help alleviate migraines.

"I'm feeling off and on a little better and weird at times," said Crisp quietly. "Last night on the bus ride back to the hotel I didn't feel too good. I lay down and watched TV and started to feel better so I ordered some pizza. All I'd had to eat was crackers.

"I took some medicine and this morning I went out to do some late Mother's Day shopping and when I was out I started to feel sick again," he said. "It's not stomach sickness. My head's just messed up. My head's not pounding or anything. I'm not good at describing injuries. It's just a heavy feeling, more like a wooziness than an actual headache."

Crisp said he was happy when Alex Cora made the final out of the top of the sixth, leaving Crisp in the on-deck circle. Moments later he was getting sick in the clubhouse. He appreciated Brad Mills, the bench coach filling in for manager Terry Francona (death in the family), noticing his distress.

"Millsy did a good job. He didn't put me back in. It would have been embarrassing in the batter's box with the cameras on me," said Crisp. "Once I got back to the clubhouse (and began vomiting) it was game over."

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 12:50 PM | Permalink

Drew wrist update

J.D. Drew, who hyperextended his left wrist in an unsuccessful attempt to make a diving catch Tuesday night, said he was "encouraged" by how his wrist felt this morning.

He said he didn't think he'd need an MRI to see if there's more damage than a simple X-ray would show, and x-rays taken after he suffered the injury were negative. Drew said he was hoping to be able to play through whatever discomfort was lingering, mentioning this weekend as a timetable. He's hopeful he won't have to be put on the disabled list.

"It's a little stiff and a little bit sore but it doesn't feel much worse than it did yesterday so that's encouraging," said Drew, who arrived in the clubhouse a short time ago still wearing the removable brace on his wrist.

"There's still a little problem with the rotational aspect of it so we'll get some treatment on it and see how it goes. Hopefully it will heal relatively quickly. I think it might take a day or two and then it can be something I can play through. I broke my ulnar (bone in his left wrist) with the Dodgers (2005) so I don't know if maybe I dislodged some scar tissue in there," said Drew.

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 12:41 PM | Permalink

Today's lineups

BOSTON
--------------
Jacoby Ellsbury cf
Dustin Pedroia 2b
David Ortiz dh
Manny Ramirez lf
Mike Lowell 3b
Kevin Youkilis 1b
Jason Varitek c
Alex Cora ss
Jonathan Van Every rf
--
Jon Lester p

BALTIMORE
-------------------
Brian Roberts 2b
Jay Payton lf
Nick Markakis rf
Aubrey Huff 3b
Kevin Millar 1b
Ramon Hernandez c
Luke Scott dh
Adam Jones cf
Freddie Bynum ss
--
Daniel Cabrera p

--STEVEN KRASNER

Posted by Art Martone  at 12:22 PM | Permalink

Sox place Buchholz on DL, recall Van Every

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BALTIMORE -- The Red Sox just placed Clay Buchholz on the disabled list because of a torn nail on the middle finger of his right hand and recalled outfielder Jonathan Van Every from Pawtucket.

The Sox are short of outfielders at the moment. J.D. Drew suffered a sprained left wrist in an unsuccessful attempt to make a diving catch in the third inning of Tuesday night's game and it's likely he'll be out for a while.

Coco Crisp had to leave the game in the sixth because of migraine-like symptoms -- an excruciating headache and vomiting. Jacoby Ellsbury, meanwhile, is playing despite a nasty bruise on his left knee and only three days ago Manny Ramirez had to miss a start because of a tight hamstring.

Buchholz was scheduled to pitch Sunday against Milwaukee. Josh Beckett will be able to make that start on normal rest because of the team's day off tomorrow. The Red Sox will need a fifth starter on Tuesday at home against Kansas City.

That also happens to be Bartolo Colon's day to pitch for Pawtucket, so if the Sox think he has had enough work for the PawSox (two starts), he could be in line for a promotion to Boston. He had been out of action since early April because of an oblique strain.

Buchholz was 2-3 with a 5.53 earned-run average.

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 11:31 AM | Permalink

Baseball Today: Wednesday, May 14

AP Photo

PREMATURE CELEBRATION: We've been treated to a score of Red Sox-are-the-best proclamations in the last week, in places like the Boston Globe, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Detroit Free Press and msnbc.com. Lost in the huzzahs is the fact that a) the Sox have lost four of five after last night's 5-4 beating in Baltimore, b) they now trail those amazing Rays in the A.L. East standings (more on that in a moment), and c) their players are dropping like flies. Steven Krasner touches on all three topics in his accounting of last night's doings, which includes a heavy emphasis on the game's turning point: The pitcher-to-home-to-first double play grounded into by Manny Ramirez with the bases loaded and no out in the seventh inning, enabling the Orioles to maintain their at-the-time 5-3 lead.

DOCTOR, DOCTOR, GIVE ME THE NEWS: After David Ortiz was ejected in the ninth inning for arguing a third-strike call by plate umpire Laz Diaz, the Sox were down to one healthy non-pitcher on the bench: Backup catcher Kevin Cash. They started the night knowing that Julio Lugo was unavailable, although Krasner reports he seems to be recovering nicely from his mild concussion and could be ready to play again soon, perhaps as early as today. Then the game started, and soon joining Lugo on the sidelines were right fielder J.D. Drew, who sprained his left wrist while trying to catch a looping fly ball hit by Freddy Bynum in the third (above), and center fielder Coco Crisp, who had to leave in the sixth when he began suffering symptoms consistent with a migraine. (Attention all of you who made Coco jokes after NESN reported he took himself out because of an "upset stomach": the line for apologies starts here.) Krasner has the postgame medical updates, and it looks like Drew -- like Mike Lowell last month -- may be out for a bit.

NO JOSHING: Like Clay Buchholz the night before, Josh Beckett was staked to a 3-0 lead before he ever took the mound. Like Clay Buchholz the night before, Josh Beckett gave the whole lead back . . . and then some. Unlike Clay Buchholz the night before -- he was rather subdued and philosophical -- Josh Beckett gave an X-rated critique of his performance that laid the blame for last night's proceedings right on his own shoulders. (Boston Herald) Even so, Jason Varitek thinks Beckett is "really close" to once again start clicking on all cylinders. (Boston Globe)

JUST WHAT THEY NEED: As if the Sox didn't have enough troubles, they'll be facing Daniel Cabrera this afternoon. In an item in his weekly notes column, Foxsports.com's Ken Rosenthal says the talented but eccentric right-hander is finally get his act together, which may create a do-we-trade-him-or-do-we-keep-him? quandry for the rebuilding Orioles.

RELAX: Despite their recent slide, the Sox are still No. 1 in Foxsports.com's Power Rankings.

THE BIG VICTORY: Forget these little setbacks. The Herald's Howie Carr says the Sox (and the Patriots) pulled off the mother of all upsets: They took down the Boston Mafia by bankrupting the bookies with their run of success.

TRADE BAIT: Jim Rice examines the future of Jed Lowrie and -- since Dustin Pedroia is entrenched at second and both Lugo and Lowell are signed to long-term contracts -- wouldn't be surprised "if the Red Sox shop their prized prospect to other teams." (ask14.sullivantire.com)

OUR SYMPATHIES: Condolences to Terry Francona, who'll miss the series in Baltimore because of the death of his mother-in-law. (ProJo Sox Blog)

NOT AT THAT PRICE: The Denver Post reports the Rockies are still interested in Julian Tavarez "but aren't about to give up pitching prospect Brandon Hynick" for him.

THE NEXT BIG THING: ESPN.com's Jim Caple is calling 21-year-old Japanese phenom Yu Darvish Dice-K 2.0.

RAYS OF POWER: They're already figured out the magic number -- 122 -- in St. Petersburg as the Rays moved into first place with an 11-inning win over Mariano Rivera and the Yankees last night. (St. Petersburg Times) They're beginning to make believers out of people, like the Times' Gary Shelton. And Tampa Bay players who've experienced success before (on other teams, of course), like Cliff Floyd and Troy Percival, say they're seeing the signs of a team coming together. (Tampa Tribune) Now to get the fans on board. There were less than 17,000 at The Trop last night and David Pinto of Baseball Musings tells the folks in the Tampa Bay area to come out and support their suddenly successful franchise.

HERE TO STAY: If you think the Rays are a fluke team bound to fall, Baseball Analysts urges you to think again.

CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK: You could always count on the in-his-prime George Steinbrenner to weigh in whenever the Yankees were struggling. Now it's Hank Steinbrenner's team, so now it's Hank Steinbrenner's turn. (New York Post)

SHORT MEMORIES: While I don't recall them thanking the offense for carrying them to the playoffs last year, Yankee pitchers, reports Peter Abraham on the LoHud Yankees Blog, are quietly blaming the hitters for the team's struggles this season.

THE CAVALRY ISN'T IN SIGHT: The Yankee attack will no doubt pick up when Alex Rodriguez returns, but there's still no word when that will be. (New York Daily News)

THE ILLS OF SOCIETY: Goose Gossage is beginning to town down his criticisms of Joba Chamberlain, saying Joba's showboating antics aren't really his fault because "no one is passing the torch today (to the rookies)." (New York Daily News)

I THOUGHT THAT WAS HIM . . . Gossage said last week that Orioles outfielder Al Bumbry was one of only six batters he intentionally hit during his career. But baseball-reference.com looked it up and discovered Gossage never hit Bumbry.

PREPARING THE GUILLOTINE: Our buddy The Tao of Stieb says John Gibbons' time is almost up in the Blue Jays' managerial chair, and tells us why.

A GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE WOULDN'T LOOK SO BAD RIGHT NOW: One day after he ragged on the Nationals for acting like "a bunch of softball girls" in their dugout while he was pitching, the Mets designated Nelson Figueroa for assignment. (New York Daily News)

FIXING THE CASE: Prosecutors have rewritten their indictment against Barry Bonds, as ordered by the judge, and baseball's home-run king/pariah now faces 15 felony counts. (AP via projo.com) The blog ShysterBall says there's nothing really new here and that his original handicapping of Bonds' chances in court still stands.

NEW PERSPECTIVE: Last week Pinto, writing for sportingnews.com, examined why the National League is outscoring the American League so far this year and concluded that, with its influx of young talent, the N.L. may soon be the better league once again. William Burke and Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus take their own look at their issue and conclude that A.L. scoring may be down because of A.L. personnel decisions; to wit, choosing defense over offense at some positions.

PETCO SOUNDS: Padres exec Paul DePodesta takes a look at Petco Park in his latest blog entry and says the fact that Petco is an extreme pitchers' park shouldn't obscure the equally true fact the team's greatest run of success in history has occurred since it moved there.

'PEDRITO': The Reds' Edison Volquez idolizes Pedro Martinez. More importantly, says espn.com's Amy K. Nelson, he's pitching like him this year, too.

FACT OR FOLLY? The Seattle Times' Larry Stone, who admits he bought into the "last year's 88-win record plus this year's addition of [Erik] Bedard equaled a championship run" notion, thinks the time of reckoning may soon be here for the stumbling Mariners.

NO QUIT IN HIM: Jay Mariotti's frontal assault on the White Sox continues, as he uses Ozzie Guillen's admission that he was thinking about stepping down as manager as a jumping-off point for an attack on someone he calls "a crazed, bitter man . . . [whose] stupidity . . . has turned the franchise into a national farce."

LOCAL BOYS: Rocco Baldelli, sidelined since spring training after being diagnosed with a mitochondrial disorder, took batting practice yesterday and says he still hopes to play this year. (mlb.com)

HERE AND THERE: The Brewers' Chris Capuano will soon have the second Tommy John surgery of his career (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) . . . The Reds' Jeff Koppinger suffered a broken patella when he fouled a ball off his leg (Cincinnati Enquirer) . . . Jacque Jones would like to join the Marlins. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

OLD FRIENDS: Guess he was right about needing a quick mental-health break. Eric Gagne got the save for the Brewers last night (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) . . . Nomar Garciaparra says he's not ready for a rehab assignment just yet. (insidesocal.com)

-- ART MARTONE

Posted by Art Martone  at 6:50 AM | Permalink